MSBA Response to SB By Catch Reports

[DZ]

Originally Posted by MakoMike

If this is in federal waters not only can't the MA DNR do nothing about it, but the catch is illegal and must be returned to the water ASAP. Only way it could be counted against any commercial quota would be if the feds opened the EEZ to striped bass fishing.

Thanks Mike - opening the EEZ could/would be an unintended consequence. I see RISAA is now trying to re-define the eez lines in Rhode Island.

Do these vessels have NMFS observers aboard? Maybe an FOIA(Freedom of Information Act) request to access catch records would help. If its tuna fishing I would guess its highly monitored? If we can find out how many vessels fish and how many days they're out there I'm sure there is some kind of by-catch formula that the fisheries managers use.

DZ